While the Western Valentine’s Day is recognized in Singapore, we also celebrate the Chinese version. It falls on the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, which this year happens to be Februrary 6th. In my earlier blog post about the Chinese New Year Celebration I mentioned a little about the Chinese Valentine’s Day, but I thought I would take a closer look at it now.

As I previously described one of the central traditions involves single women throwing mandarian oranges into the water to be collected by potential suitors.

But where does the excitement and lore come from?

Historically, it was only on the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year that unmarried women could go out into the streets (accompanied by a chaperone). Many young men would gather in the hopes of catching glimpses of these lovely maidens. The legend holds that there would be a “matchmaker” from the moon who would be watching and would tie red strings of destiny on the legs of compatible couples. Incidentally, because of this legend, matchmakers in the past were traditionally very busy on this day in hopes of pairing couples.

So, if you are looking for love, be sure to go out in public on the 6th. You may just meet you destined partner!

Through my writings in the past you may have learned that Mexico is full of religious festivities and family celebrations. Here, in fact, Christmas celebrations are not over yet; they conclude on February 2nd, when we celebrate another important holiday: Candlemas day.

Candlemas falls forty days after Jesus’s birth, and is celebrated by Catholics as the the “Feast of Purification” or as the “Presentation of Christ at the Temple.” In Mexico we celebrate this day by going to the church and then gathering with family and friends.

Tamales are a traditional Pre-Columbian Mexican dish. In Mexico we have over 200 different varieties of tamales. Back in the day they were cooked with sweet chile, tomato and seeds, mixed with beef, turkey, pheasant and quails. Today some are sweetened with molasses, others spiced with mole. Some are plain, others filled with meats or vegetables.

In its essence, tamales consist of masa (a type of starchy corn dough) that has been wrapped in leaves, then steamed or boiled. Some come bundled in cornhusks, others in plantain or banana leaves. My favorites are tamales with huitlacoche (corn smut), with chicken in a green sauce, corn tamales, and tamales with potatoes.

Tamales require hours of preparations. My family would gather for ‘tamaladas,’ and everyone contributed to the cooking process. All that teamwork helps explain why tamales are a synonymous of family, love and holidays.

I wish you a wonderful Candlemas day. Enjoy your tamales! And please don’t forget to tell me which are your favorites!

American author, Aldo Leopold once wrote, “conservation is a state of harmony between men and land.” Recently it has become clear that this quote also applies to the sea and its occupants.

Over the past couple of weeks, our local Singapore news has focused on the controversy of serving and selling shark fins.

Historically, Chinese have considered shark fin one of the eight treasured foods from the sea. Fins were seen as a noble and precious commodity—fit for the tables of the emperors. Because of the association with luxury and wealth, shark fins are traditionally served only at important events.

However, the shark population has suffered a rapid decline. With more than 73 million sharks killed each year (mostly for their fins) many of the species are facing extinction.

As a result, many shops and restaurants have announced their ceasing to sell sharks fin as part of efforts towards environmental sustainability. Capella Singapore is also offering alternative to the Shark Fin Soup. Among the options are Braised Bird’s Nest, Braised Superior Dried Seafood Broth and Double-boiled Abalone Soup. In addition to offering these alternatives, we are also offering incentives for those who select these options.

I hope that our contribution will help to maintain the very fragile balance of life in our seas. Tradition is nothing if we can’t find a way to live in harmony!